Have you heard that this is toxic to an embryo???

[blueyezz4]

So a friend of mine just went through IVF and is prego now but she said that at her fertility clinic they told her to only use unscented products, because I guess perfumes and scents are highly toxic to embryos. That kinda makes me sad b/c I love all my scented natural products I use in the shower that help wake me up each morning. Have you heard this too???????????

[Sri Radha]

I heard those instructions are just for the egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Once it inside it is fine.

[Julia'sMom]

I concur with Sri Rahda. I think it's only an issue when the embryo is NOT in you. I wouldn't worry about using them on a normal basis.

[soulshine]

our clinic had a sign posted in the office and in their literature... no scents or perfumes at the clinic. it can affect the embryos in the lab. my nurse told me if a client comes in with scented anything for the e/r or e/t, they will send them home to shower it off.

they never said anything about after the transfer, though. makes sense that once the embryo is inside, that is a sealed environment and you could use your favorite products... i went all unscented before the cycle started so i wouldn't forget about that part and get sent home on my transfer day to shower!! so i have some products that are unscented even 4 months later.

i wouldn't worry about it, but if you are, call and ask the clinic about it!

[blueyezz4]

Phewwwwwwwww... i was starting to think maybe I was causing the IF issues by all the scent/perfume I've used. Thanks everyone for clearing that up.

[cincynana]

This might be a little off topic, but I'm reading a book Dr. Robert Greene's Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility and it does talk about how certain chemicals in makeup, perfume, cleaners, etc. can disrupt hormone balance and cause IF. It may be something to check out. I know that over the years, I've been trying to switch to greener cleaners (and better meats, produce, etc), but sometimes I don't think about the lotions and whatnot that I use (esp when it comes to makeup!)

Not trying to cause paranoia, but it has been an interesting book!

And I was also told no scents during er and et, but it didn't seem a concern during iui.

[blueyezz4]

Originally Posted by cincynana

This might be a little off topic, but I'm reading a book Dr. Robert Greene's Perfect Hormone Balance for Fertility and it does talk about how certain chemicals in makeup, perfume, cleaners, etc. can disrupt hormone balance and cause IF. It may be something to check out. I know that over the years, I've been trying to switch to greener cleaners (and better meats, produce, etc), but sometimes I don't think about the lotions and whatnot that I use (esp when it comes to makeup!)

Not trying to cause paranoia, but it has been an interesting book!

And I was also told no scents during er and et, but it didn't seem a concern during iui.

cincynana- Good to hear from you...Thanks for that info. All of this kinda does make you really think about what you are putting in and on your body, that is for sure. I hope you are well. Good luck!!

[Kerr096]

When I did both IVF cycles, we were both told no perfume, deo or shower gel the day of retrieval and the day of transfer. I was told this was because it is toxic for the embryos the brief seconds they are not enclosed. good luck!